Observer

8403 Posts

Abortion

The Time Traveler: Hugh Ellis I have some confessions to make. For a brief while I attended a Catholic school. At this school one of the teachers was, if not fired, let’s say ‘asked to leave’, after sharing pictures of dead fetuses, which were apparently ‘victims of abortions’, with us learners. You don’t forget seeing pictures like those. Later in my life, as a university student, I was briefly a member of an evangelical church on campus. We raised money for a ‘Pregnancy Crisis Center’, whose stated mission was to help young women who had unwanted pregnancies and difficult life…
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I still support Air Namibia

Jackie Wilson Asheeke I won’t apologize for my years of support for Air Namibia. My long background in the tourism industry has always made me see the national airline’s true value. This national debate about the airline’s future needs to hear from different points of view. I have said for many years to those screaming for the closure of the airline, that there is no money savings in the short and medium term in precipitously closing down Air Namibia. The leases and outstanding bills for the airline are government guaranteed. They have to be paid by the Namibian tax payer…
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Geingob instructs MPs – can they comply?

After reading the Swapo Party President’s speech to the class of MPs sitting in the current Parliament, we see a glimmer of something that has been dimmed for so long. In his well-written speech before Swapo MPs this week, Hage Geingob delivered brass tacks, internal political strategizing guidelines. His message was clear and on-point. The president’s insightful words included tactical strategies, marching orders for diligence, demands that MPs read and be informed and orders to stand together as an active party. He challenged opposition tactics and called for an end to the lackadaisical lethargy borne of 30 years of a…
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FNB donates equipment to Monte Christo Primary

FNB donates equipment to Monte Christo Primary

Staff Writer FNB, through the FirstRand Namibia Foundation has donated a photocopier valued at N$17 300 to Monte Christo Primary school. “It is our hope that the donation will serve to improve the teaching and learning environment at the school and ensure that the leaners have all they need to excel. Education is one of the important sectors for the socio-economic development of this country and the Foundation has been assisting this sector through various initiatives and sponsorships. We are delighted to partner with Monte Christo Primary School because it allows us, as a corporate to bring resources that enhance…
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Local companies lose N$6.5 billion on NSX

Local companies lose N$6.5 billion on NSX

Staff Writer Capricorn Group, FirstRand Namibia, Namibian Breweries lost a combined N$6.5 billion in value after the counters recorded massive loses on Thursday’s trade on the Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX). The biggest loser was FirstRand Namibia which shed a massive N$2.9 billion in value, closing Thursday trade with a market capitalization of N$5.3 billion, down 35.37 percent. Diversified financial services group, Capricorn Group, the owners of Bank Windhoek shed N$1.8 billion in value, closing Thursday trade with a market capitalization of N$5.3 billion, down 25 percent. Ohlthaver & List Group controlled Namibian Breweries’ market capitalization plummeted 25,35 percent, down N$1.8…
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SPYL weighs into NCAA suspensions

SPYL weighs into NCAA suspensions

Andrew Kathindi Employees’ suspensions and occurrences at the Namibian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) turned into a political storm on Friday 17 July after the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) weighed in, raising concerns about developments at the state owned enterprise. This comes after videos on social media went viral showing a legal officer at the NCAA, Natalia Isak, being suspended, seemingly after raising concerns about irregularities at the government body tasked with regulating air traffic services in the country. The alleged concerns raised by Isak include unfair and inconsistent salary grades, illegal recruitment processes, modern day slavery and exploitation of…
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Walvis Bay, Swakop classes to resume

Walvis Bay, Swakop classes to resume

Staff Writer Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture has announced that face-to-face classes for grade 11 and 12 in Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Arandis will resume on Monday, the 20th of July despite rising cases of COVID-19 in some of the towns. Walvis Bay is currently the epicenter of COVID-19 cases in the country with 40 out of the 46 cases recorded on Friday being from the costal town. On Wednesday, of the 72 new cases recorded, two were from Swakopmund and 68 were from Walvis Bay. Executive Director in the Education ministry, Sanet Steenkamp said although the return of…
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BoN calls for structural interventions

BoN calls for structural interventions

Staff Writer The Governor of the Bank of Namibia (BoN), Johannes !Gawaxab says although the central bank has continuously ensured a favorable macroeconomic environment for the country’s economic growth over the past 30 years, structural interventions are required to increase Namibia’s growth potential. “This Bank is ready to work with the Government, not in a subservient role, but rather in a complementary fashion to set the framework for accelerated economic development. The Namibian economy needs structural interventions to achieve a sustained increase in our growth potential,”! Gawaxab said during commemorations of BoN’s 30th anniversary. “We need to dedicate our time…
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Make it easier for companies to tender

Preparing a government tender is a nightmare. Those who do so have PhDs in paperwork. A thriving business sector can lessen the income gap between the rich and poor. And yet, the process to use opportunities to compete for government or SOE contracts is only accessible to a few. Namibian laws that claim to help business grow are laden with overregulation and stifling bureaucracy. The rich, already-advantaged and 'connected' thrive in the existing procurement process. Everyone else drowns. Understanding the 50-page bid documents requires flawless English comprehension, a law degree, accountancy courses, and a crystal ball. There are other hurdles…
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We didn’t make a mistake – ECN

We didn’t make a mistake – ECN

Andrew Kathindi The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) maintains it did not make a mistake regarding the amendment of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) parliamentary list, seemingly hinting at its intention to appeal the High Court ruling. On Monday the High Court ruled in favour of PDM members Charmaine Tjirare and Hidipo Hamata in their case in which they challenged their removal from their party’s parliamentary list which was gazetted just before last year’s general election. The ruling requires that PDM members Charmaine Tjirare, Reggie Diergaardt, Frans Bertolini, Yvette Araes, Mike Venaani and Tjekupe Maximilliant Katjimune be sworn in as…
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